During the following week, Renya stayed inside the cave, preparing meals for the two of them.
When he had nothing to do, he would go to the river to catch fish. But Hashirama and Madara refused to eat fish no matter what, so in the end, the fat cat Scar got to enjoy them instead.
When Scar saw the pile of grilled fish, it was completely dumbfounded. If Uchiha Madara hadn't been watching, it would have abandoned him and followed Renya.
After all, Madara-sama only ever gave it raw fish. He could never make such delicious grilled fish.
Who could understand the true worth of a top-tier feeder?
A week passed by in the blink of an eye.
"Madara-sama, Hashirama-san, I'm leaving now." Renya spoke as he packed up his things.
Heh, once I leave, Uchiha Madara will definitely extend an invitation!
By then, he could naturally join the "Eye of the Moon" plan.
Before Uchiha Madara awakened the Rinnegan, the Infinite Tsukuyomi couldn't be cast anyway. Even if he joined, it wouldn't affect anything, and instead, it would guarantee the safety of his companions' lives—a perfect two-birds-one-stone outcome.
And when Madara eventually awakened the Rinnegan, Renya could use his mighty fists to convince him to give up on the plan.
Right now, all he needed was for Uchiha Madara to send him that invitation to team up.
Senju Tobirama, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Koharu, Sarutobi Hiruzen… all of them would survive because of his involvement.
In other words, they would all owe him their lives!
"Renya, you're leaving already?" Senju Hashirama sounded a little downhearted.
These days they had finally enjoyed a life of daily feasts, but it had only lasted for a single week.
Still, perhaps it was for the best if Renya left—at least that way, Madara wouldn't keep thinking about him.
Madara had already pushed himself to near madness in pursuit of his dream, and Hashirama didn't want to watch Renya get dragged into it.
That would only harm him.
And if things truly happened, Hashirama wouldn't know how to explain it to Tobirama.
A child they had raised from a young age, only to be stolen away by Madara—Tobirama would go mad, doing something reckless that could cost his life.
For some reason, Madara's strength had been slowly but steadily recovering, and now he was nearly back to his prime.
Even back then, Tobirama hadn't been Madara's match, and now he was even less so.
...
To prevent such an outcome, despite feeling reluctant, Hashirama had no choice but to let Renya go.
Uchiha Madara looked at Renya, who was packing his things, and said nothing.
He didn't really want to watch Renya leave like this, but his pride wouldn't allow him to ask him to stay.
He could only hope Hashirama would speak up and persuade Renya to stay, or perhaps suggest traveling together.
Knowing Hashirama, Madara was sure he would say exactly that.
Meanwhile, Renya, who was tidying up the cooking tools, grew increasingly puzzled. Why weren't these two saying a word?
Something felt off. At the very least, they should ask him to stay a few more days!
But no—Uchiha Madara remained silent, and even the usually talkative Hashirama said nothing this time.
Renya slowed his movements, stealing a glance at the two silent men. A hint of confusion flickered in his eyes...
What on earth was happening?!
The last time he had wanted to leave, they had done everything they could to stop him. Now that he didn't want to go, neither of them said a word, just staring at him in silence.
The sky had fallen, it had truly collapsed!
Could it be that the two of them had grown tired of his cooking?
That shouldn't be possible. His culinary skills were almost flawless.
While Renya was doubting himself, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were also full of doubt.
"Renya, why aren't you finished packing yet?"
Hashirama scratched his head in confusion. It was just a few pots and bowls, wasn't it?
Why was Renya taking so long?
He even saw him pull things back out after sealing them into a scroll.
What on earth was Renya doing?
All Hashirama wanted now was for him to quickly finish packing and leave, before something unexpected happened.
After all, Madara had long set his sights on Renya and wanted to invite him to join.
If he didn't hurry and leave, Madara might stop him.
Uchiha Madara subconsciously glanced at the silent Senju Hashirama, frowning slightly.
What was this guy playing at?!
Every other time Renya tried to leave, Hashirama had desperately tried to persuade him to stay.
But this time? Nothing?
Hashirama was just silently watching him go, not even making a move to stop him.
To be honest, Madara couldn't figure out his best friend's train of thought.
If Hashirama didn't persuade Renya, how was Madara supposed to naturally follow along on a journey?
And without traveling with Renya, they'd lose their free cook!
No need to worry, Renya hadn't left yet.
That guy Hashirama had to be pretending—he'd surely cave in and ask Renya to stay any moment now.
Uchiha Madara folded his arms, expressionless, watching the other two, firmly convinced Hashirama would speak up.
The three of them each had their own thoughts, and no one spoke. The air in the cave grew heavier and heavier.
Renya placed the last bowl into his storage scroll, then looked up at the two still silent men.
He felt like the world had truly collapsed.
Something was wrong with the script. Wasn't Hashirama-san supposed to try to keep him here, and Uchiha Madara supposed to invite him into the "Eye of the Moon" plan?
So why was this happening now? Why wasn't anyone saying anything?!
As long as he didn't join Madara's camp, the people he cared about would remain in danger.
After all, who could say Madara wouldn't target others because of him...
"Hashirama-san, Madara-sama, I'm going now?" Renya asked tentatively.
"Mhm."
Uchiha Madara gave a light grunt, his face as cold as ever.
He didn't believe Hashirama could just watch Renya walk away—surely he'd break and say something.
"Be careful out there." Senju Hashirama forced a smile.
Finally, he had finished packing and was about to leave. At least that way, Madara wouldn't keep targeting him.
Hashirama knew that Madara, having been rejected multiple times, had no plans to recruit Renya for now.
But still—better safe than sorry.
Renya leaving Madara's sight was undoubtedly the best option!
"You two, I'm really leaving now?" Renya asked again, unwilling to accept it.
He was about to go, and neither of them tried to stop him?!
"Mhm." Uchiha Madara didn't even raise his head, giving a nasal grunt.
Let's wait a little longer. He refused to believe Hashirama would just watch this kid leave...
"Alright then, take care."
Hashirama's smile was about to collapse.
Why wasn't Renya leaving already? He was getting anxious waiting!
Renya kept turning back every few steps, his face full of bewilderment.
Why? Why was this happening?!
Why weren't they saying anything to make him stay?!
What kind of joke was this?!
"Hashirama-san, Madara-sama… you really don't have anything you want to say to me?" Renya stopped at the mouth of the cave, unable to resist looking back.
He couldn't just leave like this—he had to at least join the "Eye of the Moon" plan!